Lilian Weng Returns to OpenAI After Thinking Machines Lab

Lilian Weng Returns to OpenAI After Thinking Machines Lab

Lilian Weng, a prominent figure in the field of artificial intelligence, has decided to return to OpenAI after leaving Thinking Machines Lab, a startup she co-founded. Weng explained that her decision was driven by health concerns, as the intense work pace of the startup had become unsustainable for her. At OpenAI, she will lead a research team dedicated to improving artificial intelligence models, a key project for the company.

The announcement of her departure from Thinking Machines was made on Monday, where Weng expressed her struggles to keep up with the frenetic pace imposed by the dynamic nature of the startup. She described her decision as extremely difficult, emphasizing her attachment to the "Thinky" team, the affectionate nickname for the startup, while highlighting the importance of her personal health.

Despite these challenges, Weng affirmed her love for the field of AI and her interest in technological advancements. She indicated that a position with clearly defined responsibilities in a more stable environment would suit her better. This new role at OpenAI, where she previously worked from 2018 until the end of 2024, will allow her to focus on her passions without the pressures of co-founding. Her professional background also includes experiences at Facebook, Dropbox, and Affirm. During her first tenure at OpenAI, she played a crucial role in establishing the applied AI research team and led projects on system safety.

Neither Weng nor Thinking Machines Lab immediately responded to requests for comments regarding this change. Previously, Weng had significantly contributed to the development of OpenAI's GPT-4 model, working on various aspects such as pre-training data, model safety, evaluations, and deployment. Upon her return, she will be tasked with leading a team that supports OpenAI's ambitious goal of achieving "recursive improvement," where AI models are capable of self-enhancement.

An OpenAI spokesperson praised Weng's extensive research experience, technical skills, and ability to build strong teams. For Thinking Machines Lab, Weng's departure is part of a series of notable exits. According to a Business Insider report in May, nearly one-third of the original founding members had already left the company since its inception. Among the six co-founders, only Mira Murati, the CEO, and Chief Scientist John Schulman remain. Barret Zoph and Luke Metz have also joined OpenAI, while Andrew Tulloch has left for Meta. Zoph departed OpenAI in June, according to The Verge.

Mira Murati, who was previously CTO at OpenAI and now leads Thinking Machines Lab, expressed her gratitude towards Weng on X following the announcement of her departure. She wrote: "We will miss you, it was wonderful to build Thinky together. I'm glad you are putting your health first. Thank you for everything."